Heavy lift offshore support vessel Penta TBN

crane

Overview
The customised ULSTEIN HX118 design features a fully revolving 5,000-tonne Huisman main crane and is the first vessel to implement the ULSTEIN U-STERN®, enabling installation of increasingly larger monopile foundations for offshore wind. At 215 m length and 56 m beam, it is the largest X-BOW® hull built to date, offering a flush work deck, DP capabilities and accommodation optimised for extended heavy-lift operations.

Key information

• Vessel type: Heavy Lift
• Design: HX118 (Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V.)
• Main crane: 5,000 t (Huisman, fully revolving)
• Related innovation: U-STERN®
• Hull form: X-BOW®

Project & ownership

• Ordered/Owned by: Penta-Ocean Construction
• Built by: Partner yard
• Year listed: 2028

Ship history (timeline)

• 2023: Feasibility and concept studies.
• January 2025: Design contract awarded to Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V.; developed with Penta-Ocean and Huisman to deliver a next-generation heavy lift vessel with a fully revolving 5,000 t crane for large monopile installation.
• October 2025: Steel cutting ceremonies at Seatrium's Nantong and Subic yards; steel fabrication ongoing at Subic yard.

Design & capabilities

• ULSTEIN HX118 design with X-BOW® hull form for improved seakeeping.
• ULSTEIN U-STERN® concept integrated to enable smart monopile installation on DP.
• Fully revolving 5,000 t Huisman main crane for heavy-lift operations.
• Flush work deck arranged for large foundations and heavy transport.
• Dynamic Positioning (DP) for station keeping during lifts and installation works.
• Accommodation and systems sized for extended offshore campaigns.

Applications & suitability

• Primarily designed for offshore wind monopile foundation transport and installation.
• Suitable for heavy-lift offshore construction, subsea installations and large-module transport.
• Optimised for operations requiring high crane capacity, reach and DP-controlled station keeping.

Technical specifications

• Length: 215 m
• Beam: 56 m
• Main crane capacity: 5,000 t (Huisman, fully revolving)
• Vessel type: Heavy Lift
• Design: ULSTEIN HX118
• Related innovation: U-STERN® (enables installation of larger monopile foundations)
• Hull form: X-BOW® (largest X-BOW® vessel to date)
• Deck: Flush work deck for heavy-lift operations
• Propulsion/positioning: DP capabilities
• Year listed: 2028
• Ordered/Owned by: Penta-Ocean Construction
• Built by: Partner yard